Accountants spend most of their professional lives planning for one event or another: their career, their families, their taxes, and, of course, other peoples’ taxes. However, few professionals have thoroughly considered the aspect of estate planning and the tax implications associated with the various options or alternative courses of action that may be implemented.

This course provides a detailed review of important estate planning matters for practitioners who deal with owner-managers or clients with a high net worth. Specifically, you will gain enhanced estate planning skills, an introduction to important tax and estate planning concepts, useful tips, and an updated reference source. You will develop a working understanding of how to initiate and undertake effective estate planning for clients. The course emphasizes the maintenance of flexibility in the estate plan while managing estate planning risk.

This course incudes enhanced estate planning skills for the non-specialist practitioner, an introduction of important tax and estate planning concepts, and useful tips and an up-to-date reference source. Participants will develop a working understanding of how to initiate and undertake effective estate planning for clients. An important area of the course is to maintain flexibility in the estate plan while managing estate planning risk.

The course will provide a detailed review of important estate planning matters for practitioners who deal with owner-manager or high net worth clients.

Topics Include:

• Planning for the deemed disposition at death
• Planning and using trusts
• Post-mortem planning
• The use of life insurance in planning
• A U.S. estate (and gift) tax review
• The preparation and discussion of practical examples through a case study

NOTE: This course description has been revised and reflects updates for 2025. If you have any questions, please contact pdevents@cpaontario.ca.

Unlock learning anytime, anywhere with the Blackboard Learn app

Seamlessly access your on demand courses, assignments, and get PD hours on the go. Learn how to download now and elevate your education experience with the convenience of mobile learning.

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify significant issues relating to estate planning and the use of trusts.
• Analyze post-mortem planning alternatives in the context of fact-specific scenarios.
• Explain the use of life insurance in estate and post-mortem planning.
• Identify U.S. estate and gift tax issues.